 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
Comments to
Web manager
RETURN TO > 1999 > DATELINE
HOMEPAGE > HOME
DignityUSA DATELINE
JANUARY
1999
VOL. 8, NO. 1
OUR 30th YEAR: New Year Brings Opportunity
The countdown to the millennial Jubilee is in its last stage. The time of special blessing and reconciliation is at hand. In 1999, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1969 founding of Dignity in Los Angeles. It is a landmark of which we all can be proud, and testimony that "if it is of God, it will prevail." We are all encouraged to mark this anniversary year and reference it in an appropriate manner in our chapter happenings.
In August, we will convene in Denver, the 14th biennial convention of DignityUSA. Mark your calendars now; plan your vacation time to be with the Dignity family. The convention will run from Thursday evening, August 5, through midday Sunday, August 8. The convention will be preceded by the business meeting of the House of Delegates from Tuesday afternoon, August 3, through midday Thursday, August 5. Chapters should name their delegates as soon as possible so that they can become familiar with the issues and be able to get the various discounts that may be available for registration, travel, etc. It is strongly recommended that chapter presidents or chairs be included among the named delegates. All members are reminded to keep their eye open for the convention registration material that they should receive early in the year.
Finally, the major national event in 1999 will be the Equality Begins At Home, 50 state actions scheduled for March 21-27. Each chapter or state group of chapters is urged to be involved in both the pre-planning of their state's events and the actual participation in the events. It is important that the voice of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith is heard among our GLBT community political and social leadership, as well as within our Church and secular society, in general. The DignityUSA office can help, if needed, on information regarding the individual state coordinating agencies.
Sister Eileen De Long Scholarship Fund
Sister Eileen De Long, a Religious of the Good Shepherd, ministered to the GLBT community for a number of years before she was taken from us. The Sister Eileen De Long Scholarship Fund was established in her memory so that her selfless service to our community could be recognized and further enhance ministry within Dignity.
The specific intent of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to persons attending the DignityUSA biennial conventions. The funds available may be awarded to one or more individuals as determined by the Scholarship Committee.
The Committee shall consider applications and shall grant priority consideration as follows: First priority will be given to women religious; second priority will be given to male religious; third priority will be given to priests and lay persons.
The Committee will accept applications through March 31, 1999 for our August convention in Denver. To obtain a copy of the guidelines and an application, please write: Sister Eileen De Long Scholarship Fund, c/o DignityUSA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 11, Washington, DC 20005-1894.
COR Groups Urge Church Action On Anti-gay Violence
Eighteen progressive Catholic organizations affiliated with Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR), including DignityUSA, have sent a joint letter to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. They urge the U.S. bishops, collectively and individually, to respond to the prevalent anti-gay violence and the public statements that give impetus to or even legitimize such violence. The letter asks the bishops to reiterate their existing statements against verbal and physical abuse and the questionable worth of reparative therapy.
Last summer's right wing advertising campaign and the murder of Matthew Shepard should be an opportunity for the bishops to remind our Catholic communities and society-at-large of the rich body of positive Catholic social teaching. DignityUSA appreciates the work of COR and the support for our cause that is represented by the coalition of organizations that signed the letter.
National Couples Registry
Have you and your partner had a Holy Union Ceremony through your local Dignity Chapter? If so, congratulations! DignityUSA wants to record your ceremony in the National Couples Registry!
The National Couples Task Force introduced the Registry, as well as the Couples Ministry Resource Guide at the House of Delegates at the 1995 Boston Convention. The Registry was established "to support and validate committed relationships" and "is documentation that we, as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, do have and desire long-term monogamous relationships that are consonant with Christ's teaching, Christian values, and are loving, life-giving, and life-affirming." Couples Ministry Resource Guide
There are five basic guidelines set forth in the Resource Guide that we require for a couple to register which we ask a chapter officer/representative to verify with a signature. This keeps our registry accountable.
The five guidelines are:
-
Both members of the couple shall be at least the legal age of consent for marriage in the state in which the ceremony is to be performed.
-
Neither member may be bound by a prior marriage or unresolved commitment.
-
At least one member of the couple must be an active member of a Dignity Chapter.
-
The couple must inform the chapter leadership of their intentions and work with the individuals designated by the chapter for preparation for their Holy Union.
-
They must have completed the program of preparation adopted by the local chapter for Holy Unions.
If you and your partner have had a Holy Union but it did not satisfy the guidelines, we suggest and encourage you to use the occasion of an anniversary to have a recommitment ceremony that satisfies the guidelines, thereby qualifying you to register.
If you would like to register your Holy Union with DignityUSA, please complete the form found in your Chapter's copy of the Couples Ministry Resource Guide and mail or fax it to the national office. For more information on the National Couples Registry and the Couple Ministry Resource Guide please check the National Liturgy and Worship Committee web page or call DignityUSA at 800-877-8797.
Quick Look
Delegate Count
The delegate strength for voting in the House Of Delegates in Denver, August 3-5, 1999 will be determined from the official membership roster of the chapter on file with the office of DignityUSA as of January 31, 1999.
Holiday Appeal
Just a quick reminder that it's not too late to include DignityUSA on your list of 1998 gifts. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated, especially as we begin our 30th year of faithful ministry to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender persons, and our family and friends.
Tax Records
As we prepare to celebrate the New Year, many of us have taxes on our minds. It is the policy of DignityUSA to acknowledge contribution as they are received throughout the year. If, however, you require further documentation of have need of a duplicate statement of contributions, please call the office.
Happy Anniversary!
Orlando 5; Brooklyn 22; Phoenix 22
Mark the dates:
DignityUSA’s
Biennial Convention
August 5-8, 1999 Denver
